To promote Kinmen’s unique military history and battlefield culture, Kinmen National Park Headquarters (the Headquarters) held the “Return to the Frontline | Kinmen Battlefield March Experience” on July 11 at Zhaishan Tunnel, attracting nearly 500 enthusiastic participants. Combining a battlefield march, military history tours, interactive activities, and photo opportunities, the event led participants on a 7.2-kilometer route through key historical and cultural sites, including Zhaishan Tunnel, Tongqiangshan Fort, Oucuo Beach, Zhushan Village, and Gugang Village. Through firsthand exploration, participants gained a deeper understanding of Kinmen’s unique battlefield cultural heritage while immersing themselves in the historical atmosphere of the island’s military past.

The Headquarters noted that Kinmen experienced an extended period of military administration and control, leaving behind a wealth of military facilities, defensive fortifications, and battlefield settlement landscapes. In recent years, as former military sites have gradually been released for civilian use, the Headquarters has continued to promote the preservation of military history, the revitalization and adaptive reuse of former military facilities, and the conservation of cultural heritage. Through environmental education, cultural experiences, recreational activities, and other initiatives, battlefield heritage is no longer presented merely as a collection of static exhibits. Instead, these historic sites have become important spaces for the public to engage with history and gain a deeper understanding of Kinmen, giving them renewed vitality and educational value.

The route connected several historically significant battlefield sites. Zhaishan Tunnel once served as an underground military logistics and supply base. Tongqiangshan Fort was an important strategic position responsible for frontline surveillance and defense, while Oucuo Beach once formed a key part of the island’s anti-landing defense system. Zhushan Village and Gugang Village have also preserved much of the traditional architectural character of Minnan (Southern Fujian) settlements, reflecting the intertwined historical memories of wartime life and traditional village culture. By linking natural, ecological, cultural, and military landscapes along a single route, the event enabled participants to explore Kinmen’s rich and diverse heritage from multiple perspectives.

The Headquarters will continue to draw on the National Park’s rich natural environment, settlement culture, and battlefield heritage to develop distinctive activities that combine education, interaction, and hands-on experiences. By encouraging more people to participate firsthand, it hopes to deepen public understanding of the development and significance of Kinmen’s battlefield culture while inspiring greater appreciation for the island’s precious and distinctive cultural heritage. Through such initiatives, battlefield culture can be experienced and understood in more diverse ways, while the National Park continues to fulfill its important role in nature conservation, cultural preservation, and environmental education.